Last in Parliament October 2000, as LiberalMP for Port Moody—Coquitlam (B.C.)

Statements in the House

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the fourth annual Spirit of Community Awards celebrated in my riding last week. Eleven of the top citizens in Port Moody—Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam were honoured for their community action and volunteer work. This event was presented by the Society for Community Development.

David Driscoll, a well-known former mayor of Port Moody, accepted the Lifetime of Leadership Award.

I congratulate all the recipients of the Spirit of Community Awards for their hard work, dedication and compassion for the community. It is greatly appreciated.

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. I am told today that the House Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration has received a paper outlining the minister's proposal for regulations that will accompany the immigration bill.

My colleagues, my constituents and I would like to know what the minister is doing to reduce the waiting period across the system.

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification. Could the minister tell the House what western economic diversification is doing to help western entrepreneurs participate in the new e-business economy?

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration inform the House as to the status of the criminal prosecution of the nine people accused of people smuggling with the boat arrivals off the coast of British Columbia last summer?

Mr. Speaker, yesterday as a federal government representative, I observed 6,452 musical students and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra play Beethoven for nine minutes and 53 seconds in order to beat the world record. They are now in the the Guinness Book of Records because they beat the old world record of seven minutes and 43 seconds. I was delighted to be there to represent the Deputy Prime Minister and the minister responsible for the millennium fund, and to announce that they were getting $129,667.

Mr. Speaker, National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week begins April 16 and ends April 23. My private member's bill, Bill C-420, recognizes the need for a national organ donor registry in an effort to save lives.

To all members of parliament and Canadians I say let us do the right thing and save some lives.